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Californian to Shun House G.O.P. Race

Representative Bill Thomas, Republican of California, has decided not to enter the race for House majority leader, the No. 2 leadership position, leaving three candidates battling it out.

Aides to Mr. Thomas said he would support Representative Dick Armey of Texas, the current majority leader. Mr. Armey is fending off challenges from Representatives Steve Largent of Oklahoma and Jennifer Dunn of Washington.

Several Republican handicappers said today that while Mr. Armey might have an advantage in commitments so far for the Nov. 18 secret-ballot election, he had not yet achieved a dominance that would allow him to claim victory in the initial round of voting.